Singapore Expats

I know it's more complex than this, but to simplify a little, consider this.
You make $200K in NYC (wall st. related job) and pay $2500/month rent.
What should you make in Singapore to be relatively equal in Salary and what would you expect to pay for rent in Singapore. The NYC rent is for a decent-sized 1-bedroom with 20-30minute max commute time is nice, active and safe neighborhood.

I suppose even if the answer to be equal were, say X SG$ = $50K, now you still have to spend more on travel, and travel to the US or Europe or anywhere else in the world would become much more expensive if the US/other currency is relatively more expensive...

Comments? Who else has made the NYC -> SG move recently?
Thank you!
-stacey

The golden rule is: Never take a salary cut when you go overseas. HR will feed you a line of bull about how wonderfully cheap Sg is, and some of it is even true, but consider this: how are you going to get your salary hiked back up when you return?

You actually bring up a whole bunch of interrelated points, but to pick a few:
* In Singapore, anywhere on the island is "20-30minute max commute time in nice, active and safe neighborhood". (Well, the "active" part will vary a little.)
* If you're worried that the USD will continue to weaken, then get your salary in SGD, which uses a currency basket backed by massive reserves and is thus pretty stable.
* Travel around Asia from Singapore is actually really cheap, fuel prices notwithstanding. Home leave to go back to the US obviously costs more, but most companies provide a yearly trip home as part of the expat package.

good call!!

[quote="jpatokal"]The golden rule is: Never take a salary cut when you go overseas. HR will feed you a line of bull about how wonderfully cheap Sg is, and some of it is even true, but consider this: how are you going to get your salary hiked back up when you return?

......[quote]

HR / consultant will secure the position even if it means cutting your pay, so you have to do your research as to how much you are worth and add 10%!

yo wadya say.

i lived, studied and worked in NYC for almost 10 years (still have a place on central park w).

it's cheaper and safer to live in singapore. but career-wise, unless you're changing profession don't take a pay cut.

you'll miss the buzz of ny. i know i did.

stacey wrote:I know it's more complex than this, but to simplify a little, consider this.
You make $200K in NYC (wall st. related job) and pay $2500/month rent.
What should you make in Singapore to be relatively equal in Salary and what would you expect to pay for rent in Singapore. The NYC rent is for a decent-sized 1-bedroom with 20-30minute max commute time is nice, active and safe neighborhood.

I suppose even if the answer to be equal were, say X SG$ = $50K, now you still have to spend more on travel, and travel to the US or Europe or anywhere else in the world would become much more expensive if the US/other currency is relatively more expensive...

Comments? Who else has made the NYC -> SG move recently?
Thank you!
-stacey

Why do you want ot move to Singapore?
Is this decision already made?

recently lost job in nyc. now i'm looking here & elsewhere.
something came up in SG. It is a decent role that I would take if it was local.
But it seems likely I wont take it nor make the move to SG.
Never been and so hard to get a good idea, so many unknowns.
I did get some great feedback here, so thanks so much all!

Good luck on finding a new job.

for real or sarcastically?

life goes on...

stacey wrote:for real or sarcastically?

The wish is for real.
It's always better to search for a job while you're still in one.
However, since that is not the case, hope you find something good.



You should have some other compelling reason for coming to Singapore (or going to China or anywhere else halfway around the world) besides merely having a job opportunity. Lots of differences to embrace.

you could always take a short break to singapore and have a look-see if you're unsure about the place. singapore airlines flies direct.

small price to pay for milking your potential in a region that's still growing. also a good step towards figuring out what working in asia's like...

good luck, nonetheless. something else'll come along. : )

true. (and thank you)
but didnt Frank Sinatra once say that if you could make it here you could make it anywhere? I embraced NYC fine. Am I perhaps too used to it that it would now make it harder to embrace other places?

I leaning towards SG being a no go, fyi.

stacey wrote:true. (and thank you)
but didnt Frank Sinatra once say that if you could make it here you could make it anywhere? I embraced NYC fine. Am I perhaps too used to it that it would now make it harder to embrace other places?

I leaning towards SG being a no go, fyi.

Don't think Frank really tried living in Asia.
It's also a new era -- the world has changed.

Go with your instincts.
Lots of posts on this website complaining about things and living here.
And to think that Singapore should be a relatively easy transition for those from the West.

you're right. i've read more non-positive things than positive ones.
it doesnt looks like it would be a drama-free transition, or a drama-free stay, and not the friendliest environment in the world either. not the worst, of course.
I'm guessingg insticints for most would be against the move. people who go there must have had a compelling reason, and I will have to check and see if I have one.
I also havent figured out my exit strategy. I wish I could hear about other peoples graceful exit/return. i tried searching but i'll keep looking...